Light projector



H. F. KING LIGHT PROJECTOR Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,685

Filed April 27, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /NVE/V TUR.-

Aug. 14, 1928.

H. F. KINGy LIGHT PRoJBc'ron Filed April 27, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IlFig: 6x25l Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITlezD STATES HERBERT F. KING, OF NEVJTONVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

LIGHT PROJECTOR.

Application filed April 27, 1925. Serial No. 26,314.

The present inventionV relates7 generically, to automaticlightprojectors such, for instance, as illuminatmfs orkspot-lights whichproject a stream ot light beams, and picture machines which projectimages of objects onja screen. Specifically, the invention relates toautomatic spot-lights, but it must be understood that this specificembodiment has been selected tor its convenience in disclosingf thebroad invention and not with any intent-ion to limit the scope ot theinvention thereto.

The principal object of the invention is to produce a light projectorwhich may be moved automatically to cause the stream of light beams tomove "through a predetermined path and spot successively a plurality otobjects and hold the spot tor an interval on at least one of saidobjects.

To the accomplishmentV ot this object, a Yfeature ot' the inventioncontemplates the provisionin an apparatus of the generic classdescribed, of a light proj ector,'autoniatic mechanism for turningr thelight projector about an axis to shift the position of the stream oit'light, and means for controlling; said mechanism to cause the stream oflijijht to more through a predetermined path and spot successively aplurality ot objects and hold the spot for an interval on at least oneor' said-objects- Broadly considered the light projector may be turnedabout an axis in any plane but it is better to` turn the light projectoreither about vertical or a horizontal axis, and bcstto turn the lightprojector about both vertical and horizontal axes, or at least aboutnormal intersectingT axes, so that the stream of light is shifted alongYa resultant. path thus increasing itstield of movement.

In the broader aspects ot the invention the direction and extent of theturningr movement or niovements imparted to the light projector may bederived from a cam mechanism. but in order that the path of the streamof light or thev interval in which the spot of light is held on at leastone object in the path, or both the path and the interval may he changed`readily it is preferred to` employ a` Yariable pattern instead of a camifnechanism.

(,)ther features of the invention rela-te to ain devices, combinationsand arrangete rfi? pints fully sel: forth hereinatti. 4.

the advantages ol which will be readily understood by those .skilled inthe art. A

The various 'features of the present invention will be best understoodfrom an inspection ol the accompanying drawings illustrating` anexplanatory embodiment of. the invention7 in which,

Figure l is a perspective of an automatic light projector;

Fig'. 2 a vertical section through the case ot a spotlight selected asthe speciiic` light projector ttor the purpose of disclosure only;Figrjis a detail in sectional elevation of the mechanism for ti ppingthe spot-light in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis and forrotating); the spot-light in a horizontal plano about a vertical axis;

Fie: 4L is a sectional plan `on the line 4 4, Fie. 3; f

Fig. 5 is a perspectiveof the mechanism Y tor controlling' the directionand extentof the tipping and rotating` movements imparted to thespot-light; A

Fig. 6 is a detail in elevation showingr the drive tor the controlling;mechanism;

Fig, 7 is a detail in perspective showing the switch connections tor li`righting or darkening the .show window, and

Figi'. 8 is a detail in plan showin;r both the controllingl mechanismand its drive.

Describing; the specific embodiment of the invention in general termsthe spot-light is mounted. centrally over the street Window of a storedisplay or show room, to move about two normal intersecting axes, orabout two axes iintersectingr at right anglesto each other, and thusproject its stream of `light on any spot. kwithin the darkened show roomexcept on the street window thereof. Mechanism is provided iior turningthe spot-light on the two axes referred to and the direction and extentoi these turning movements is controlled by a pattern mechanism inorderthat the stream of lipght may pick out in' a soccessive or predeterminedmanner the various articles or objects exhibited in the show room andhold the spot on at least one oil' said objects vfor an interval. At theend of each cycle ot movement of the stream of light, means controlledhv the 'pattern mechanism lights the'shmvwindow for a, predeterminedperiod and then darkens the show room again preparatory to another cycleof movement ot the stream ot light.

Simposio 'that the. stint?" tifindot" is jects.

dressed to display the furniture and decorations of a. living roomfurnished with various chairs, tables, lamps, solas, a clock, atalking?)r machine, a radio, etc., the pattern mechanism would bearrangedyin an arbitrary manner to cause the stream of light to spot thevarious objects in the darkened show window successively or inaccordance with some preconceived plan and hold the spot on at least oneol' said objects for an interval. The stream ot light tirst might pickout the. clock, then move to spot the radio, then a. chair. or a lamp,returning to the clockbeiore spotting4 other objects, or completing asuccessive spotting ol each object in the show window. The spot may beheld vfor an interval on any or all ot the ob- The phrase hold the spot7is con sidered broad enough, and is herein intended, to include themoving of the spot. vertically or laterally over objects elongatedvertically and horizontally, rcspcctiwly. Atter completing"r the c vclethe whole show window is flooded with light by mean-1y other than thespotlight to display its entire contents. After a time the show windowis again darkened and the spot-light, which has remained stationary andunlighted, it desired, during the lighting of the whole show window, isagain actuated to move its projected stream ot' light through its cycle.

The spot-light 9 (Fig. 2)` is mounted in a cylindrical case 10 which isheld in a band comprising a pair ot semi-circular straps 11 and 12secured together by bolts 13. The straps 11 and 12 are provided withtrunnions 14 and 15 (Figi. 1) which are mounted to turn freely in thedependingr plates 1G and 17 of a trame or turret 1S. Secured to the topot the turret 18 is a large bevel 2gear 19 carrying,r a tube Q0 (Fig. 3)to which a` cap Q1 havinga central opening` is secured. The tube Q0 andcap 2l rotate in a cylindrical chamber Q2 secured to a cover plate Q3carried by a wall bracket 2t arranged to be secured in some convenientposition in a show room preferably centrally above the Ftreet Windowthereof. To facilitate the rotation of the cap 21 and to provide athrust bearing for the turret 18 and the parts carried thereby, a ballrace 24 is interposed between the cap 2l and the bottom of the chamber22.

W'ith this construction, by rotating;r the turret on the ball race thespot-light 9 may be rotated in a horizontal plane about the axis ot thetube Q0 and, by mechanism to be. described later, the spot-light may betipped in a vertical plane relatively to the turret about the axis oithe two trunnions 1t and 15. These two axes intersect at right angles toeach other, or normal to each other, at a point located in thelongitudinal axis of the Spotlight.v 9. The spot-light is thus free toturn universally relatively to the wall bracket Q4 and spot any objectwithin the display room. In the specific embodiment ot' the invention itis not desirable to spot the street window of the show room andconsequently there is no need ot tipping or rotating;r the spotlightthrough an angle. greater than 180. It must be understood, however, thatin its broader aspects the invention is not limited to any special anglethrough which the spot-light may be tipped o1' swung.

In order to tip and rotate the spot-lightI in either direction and tothe desired extenta controllinflrV n'iechanism is provided which may belocated, if desired, outl ot the show room at a distance from thespot-lightand connected thereto by flexible or other .shattinc'. To thisend an electric motor Q5 (Figs. 6 and 8), is mounted on a bracket 2() ona base 27. The out-board end ol the arnuiture shaft QS, which rotates ina. bearingY supported by a bracket. Q9 on the base QT, car ries a worm30. The worm El() meshes with a worm wheel 31 secured to a short shaft32 journaled at one end in the bracket Qi) and at its other eud in abracket 83 on the base 27. 'l`he shaft carries a pinion 34 which mesheswith a gear wheel 35 mounted on a loingr shaft 3G journaled near itsopposite ends in brackets 37 and 21S risingfrom the baf'e QT. ries apair ol pinions 3S) and t0 which mesh, respectively, with a pair ofdisks or gear wheels t1 and l2 (Fig. 5). The disk 41 is mounted on astub shaft 43 journaled in a bracket 4d rising from the, base QT. Thedisk 42 is also mounted on a stub shaft 1.3 journaled in a bracket 4G onthe bae if'. The base. 27 also carries a pair ol' brackets L17 and 48which support stub :shafts it) and 5() upon which are mounted disks orgear wheels 51 and The disks 5t and 52 are rotatedsimultaneously withthe disks -t l and 42, but in opposite diret-limi: thereto, by idlerpinions 53 and 54, carried by .stud shafts journaled in the brackets 3Tand 53S, and engaged, respectively, with the pinions 39 and it).

The peripheral outside end faces ot the disks 41, 4Q, 5l and carry aseries of holes 55 each adapted to receive a pin 5G. The pins 50 on thewheels 42 and 52 are arranged to engage and rotate a pin wheel 57mounted on av shat't journaled in brackets 59, on the base 2T, one otwhich is shown in Fig. The shaft carries a bevel gear 6() which engagesa similar gear G1 on one end of a shaft (3Q- journaled at one end in thebracket it) and at its other end in a bracket G3 (Fig. 5). Secured tothe free end of the shaft G2 is one end ot a flexible shaft (34, or itsequivalent, which is connected at its other end to a short shaft (35(Fig. 1) journaled in the cover plate 23. The shaft carries a. bevelgear 6G which meshes with the bevel gear 19.

On its ends the shaft 3G carjournaled in the cover plate 'Vhen a pin 56on either of the disks 4:2 and 52 engages the pin wheel 57 the bevelgear 19 is actuated, through the connections described, to rotate theturret 18. If the pin wheel 57 is engaged by a pin 56 on the wheel 42the turret `18 is rotated in one direction. flf the pin engaged with thepin wheel 57 is on the disk then the tur ret 18 is rotated in the otherdirection.` The extent of rotation of the turret 18 in either directionis controlled by the number of pins 56 on one of the disks that engagethe pin wheel successively. The duration of time ben tween successiverotative movements of the turretis controlled by the spacing arrangementbetween successive actuating pins.

1n order to tip the spot-liglltabout its vertical axis the disks il and`51 are provided on their outside peripheral end faces with a series ofholes 67 each of which is adapted to receive a pin similar to the pin 5Gand arranged to engage av pin wheel G8 (Fig. 6). The pin wheel G8mounted on a shaft 6) fournalcd at one end in a bracket 70 and at itsother end in 'the bracket 37. The shaft GS) carries a bevel gear 71which meshes with bevel gear` 72 on a shaft 7 l journaled at one end inthe bracket S29 and at its other end in the bracket G3. At its free endthe shaft/73 is connected to one end of a flexible bevel gear 19, andthe frame 18. The cylindrical rack 77 is also engaged by a thrust idlerpinion 78 mounted on a stub shaft 79 23. Below the top of the frame 18the cylindrical rack 77 engages a thrust idler pinion 8O and a drivenpinion 81- (Fig. d). i' he idler pinion SO is mounted on a stub shaft S2journaled at its opposite ends in the frame 18. The driven pinion 81 ismounted on a shaft S3 journaled in the frame 18. Outside the frame 18the shaft S3 is provided with a sprocket 84 in order to transmit therotary movements of the shaft 83 to a sprocket wheel 85, secured to anextension of the trunnion 15, through a chain 8G. n

lhen a pin 5G on eithe of the disks L11 and 51 engages the pin wheel GSthe cylindrical rack 77 is reciprocated, through the ronnectionsdescribed, to drive the chain 86 and thus tip the spot-light in avertical plane about a horizontal axis. The direction in which thespot-light tips is determined by the disk 41 or 51 which carries the pin56 engaged with the pin wheel 68. If the pin 5h is on the disk 41 thespot-light is tipped in one direction. The spot-lig t istippcd in theother direction when the actuating pin is on the disk 51. The period ofdwell between tipping movements and the extent of the tipping movementsin either direction is determined by the spacing of the pins 56 on thedisks 4151, and 51. By providing mechanism for tipping and rota-ting thespot-light about two normal intersecting axes and by providing :ipattern mechanism for-controlling the period of dwell and the directionand extent of the tippingand rotating movements the spot-light may beactuated to spot singly in accordance with any arbitrary7 plan theobjects displayed in the show window. The cycle of movement of thestream of light may be readily changed by shifting the arrangement ofthe pins on the pin disks. ln order to flood the show room with light onthe completion of the spot-lights cycle the inside periiiheral endfaceof the gear wheel carries a pin 87 (Fig. 5) arranged to engage a dog 88(Fig: 7) carried by a shaft S9 journaled in brackets 90, one of which isshown in Fig. 5. The shaft S9 also carries an arm 91 arranged to engagea li ghting lnitton 92 or other switch-actuating member on a switch box93 carried by the base 2T. The li gliting button 92 controls the usuallighting arrangement of a show window and when. pressed by the arm 51turns on the show window lights, thus displaying its entire contents.The lighting button 92 may be connected to the switch for the spotlightso that when the show window lights are turned on the spot-light isturned off.

In order to redarken the show window a pin 94 (Fig. 5) on the insideperipheral end face'of the disk 51 engages a dog 95 (Fig. 7) on a shaft9G journaled in brackets 97 one of which is shown in` Fig;` 5. The shaft96 carries an arm 9S arranged to engage Vthe darkening button 99 orother switch-actuating member.

The spot-light switch may be actuated simultaneously with the .actuationof the darkening button 99 to relight the spot-light when 'the show roomis darkened and the spot-light cycle may be recommenced. The showwindow, however, may be left in darkness for a period of time before thespotlight is again relighted and restarted onits cycle.

Nothing herein contained 'is to be interpreted as limiting the inventionin the scope Votits application to use in connectiony with theparticular. apparatus or the particular mode of operation or bothselected for pui poses of illustration and explanation. iVhile theparticulars of construction herein set forth are well suited to onemechanical forni of the invention, it is not limited to these details ofconstruction, nor to the conjoint use of all its features, nor is it tobe understood that these particulars are essential since they may bevariously modi lied within the skill. of the artisan without departingfrom the trueV scope of the actual invention, characterizing features otwhich are set Vforth in the followingl claims by the intentional use ofgeneric terms and expressions inclusive of various modifications.

lVhat is claimed as new, is.

1. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, a lightprojector, mechanism for tipping and rotating the light projector, and`patterns i'or actuating said mechanism and ltor variably controlling thedirectionV and extent ol' the tipping and rotating movements.

An apparatus ot the class described having. in combination, a lightprojector, mechanism for tipping the light projector and means 'loractuatingl said mechanism and for controlling the direction and extentof the tipping movement including a pin wheel and a pair of disksprovided with a plurality of pins for rotating the pin wheel.

3. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, a lightprojector, mechanism 'lor rotating the light projector, and means loractuating said mechanism and for controiling the direction and extent ofthe rotating movement including a pin wheel and a pair of disks providedwith a plurality of pins for rotating the pin wheel.

1. An apparatus of the class described having', in combination, a lightprojector, mechanism for tipping and rotating the light projector, andmeans for actuating said mechanism and i'or controlling the directionand extent of the tipping and rotating movements including a pair of pinwheels and two pairs ol disks provided with a plurality ot' pins ll'orrotating the pin wheels.

5. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, aspot-light, a casing therefor including a pair of trunnions; a turret inwhich the trunnions are jourualed, a chain drive `tor tipping the.spotlight on the turret, including a sprocket secured to one ot thetrunnions and a sprocket shaft journaled on the turret; a pinion mountedon the sprocket shaft, a cylindrical rack mounted to reciprocate on theturret and engage the pinion, and means for reciprocating the rack.

(i. An apparatus of the class described having. in combination, aspot-light, a casing there tor including a pair of trunnions; a turretin which the trunnions are journalcd; ar chain drive ior tipping thespotlight on the turret, including a sprocket secured to one of thetrunnions and a` sprocket shaft journaled on the turret; a pinionmounted on the sprocket shaft; a c vlindrical rack mounted torecipro-ate on the turret and engage the pinion, means t'orreciprocating the rack, and means for rotating the turret.

7. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, aspot-light, mechanismy for operating the spot-light to cause its streamof light to move through a predetermined cycle, a switch tor a source ofillumination independent ot the spot-light including a lighting member,and means operating at the end of the spot-light 'cycle for actuatingthe lighting button.

S. An apparatus of the class described having. in combination, aspot-light, mechanism i'or operating the spot-light to cause its streamot light to move through a predetermined cvcle, a switch 'l'or a sourceof illumination independent ol the spot-light including a lightingmember and a darkening member, and means operating between thespot-light cycles 'for successively actuating the lighting and darkeningmembers,

9. An apparatus ot" the class described having, in combination, aspot-light, mechanism tor operating the spot-light to cause its streamof light to move through a predetermined cycle including a pair of pinwheels and two pairs of disks provided with ay pluralitijvY ot' pins torrotating the pin wheels. a switch for a source of illuminationindependent ot the spot-light including a lighting and a darkeningmember, and a pin on one ot the disks of each pair for pressing thelighting and darkening members successively between the spot-iightcycles.

10. An aj'ij'iaratus of the class described having. in combination, atippable and rotatable light projector, mechanism for tipping androtating the light projector, and automatic means tor controlling saidmechanism to canse the stream of light to move through a predeterminedpath and spot successively a pluralitj7 ofv objects and hold the spotfor an interval on at least 'one of sai'd objects.

1l. An apparatus ot the class1 described having, in cfnnbination. atippable and rotatable light. projector. n'icchanisn'i for tipping androtating the light projector. alltomatic means for controlling saidmechanism to cause the stream of light to move through a predeterminedpath and spot successively a plurality ot objects, said controllingmeans including elements adjustable to change said path.

1Q. An apparatus ot the class described having, in eonibination, atippable and rotatable light projector. mechanism for tipping androtating the light projector', automatic means tor controlling Saidmechanism to cause the stream of lightto move through a j nedeterminedpath and spot successively a plurality of objects and hold the spot foran interval on at least one of said objects, said controlling meansrincliuling elements adjustable to vary said interval.

13. An apparatus ot' the class described having, in combination, avtippable and rotatable light projector, mechanism for tipping androtating the light projector, autolll() llU lll)

matic means for controlling saidrnechanisrn to cause the stream of lightto rnove through a predetermined path and spot successively a pluralityot objects and hold the spot :tor iu interval on at least one ot saidobjects, said controlling nieans including` elements adjustable tochange both the path and the interval.

14. .Au apparatus of the class described having, in.coinbinationatippable and roj t projector, mechanism for tipping' and rotating thelight projector, nieans 'for con 'olliiig said inechanisin to cause thestream ot light to move through a predeterinincd path and spotsuccessively a plurality of objects and hold the spot tor au interval onat least one of said objects, said controlling means including elementsadjustable to vary the nuinlier oi' objects upon which the spot is heldfor an interval.

15. An apparatus oit the class described having, in combination, atippable and rotatable light projector, inechanisin ttor tipping androtating' the light proj actor, ineans tor controlling said mechanism tocause, the stream of light to more through a predeterniined path andspot successively a plurality ot objects located in said path and holdthe spot for an interval on at least one ot said objects, saidcontrolling ineans including elements adjustable to vary said intervaland the number of objects upon which the spot is held .tor the interval.

1G. An apparatus ot the class described having, in combination, aspotlight, a casing therefor including a pair oit trunnions, a turret inwhich the trunnions are journaled, ineans for tipping the spotlight onthe turret including a cylindrical rack mounted to reciprocate in theturret, a pair of pinions engaged with the rack, one ot which is adriving pinion and the other one oit which a turret in Which thetrunnious are jourl naled; a bevel gear secured to the turret, a tubeseci'ired to the bevel gear, a cap secured to the tube, said cap andbevel gear having central openings, a cylindrical chamber in which thetube and cap rotate, a thrust bearing interposed between the chamber andtube, ineans tor rotating the bevel gear, and means :tor tipping` thespotlight including a cylindrical raclr niounted to reciprocate in thetube and through the openings in the bevel gear and cap.

18. iin apparatus ot the class described having in combination, a lightprojector, nicchanisui vtor rotating Vthe light projector, and nicanstor actuating said mechanism for controlling the direction and extent oithe rotating nieve-nient including a pin-Wheel and rotary ineansprovided with a plurality ot pins lor rotating said pinivheel.

19. An apparatus ol the class described having,in combination, a lightprojector, mechanism tor tipping and rotating the light projector, andmeans tor actuating said f inechanisin and for controlling the directionand extent of the tipping and rotating nievenient including a pair otpin-Wheels and rotary means provided With a plurality of adjustable pinstor rotating the pin-Wheels.

HERBERT F. KING.

